The Forest Republican. [volume] (Tionesta, Pa.) 1869-1952, 1887-07-20

horses an occasional washing, and see
that the harness is kept clean and soft by
oiling. Powdered aloes with the oil is
said to keep away rats.
An old beekeeper says: In localities
where willows and hazel do not abound
it is well to feed bees with rye meal, as il
is a good substitute for pollen, which is
the main ingredient in the bee bread on
which the young bees are fed. Rye meal,
when fed, especially in late springs,
stimulates brood-rearing and enables col
onies to send out earlier and stronger
swarms. 1t should be placed in shallow
troughs or pans rod or more from the
hives, where it will be soon found by the
bees and gathered eagerly bv them.
a fruit grower states that he found two
ounces of nitrate of soda, applied by Dig
ging down to the tap root Of the peach
tree, an excellent renovator for the trees
when the leaves had partially become vel
low. In few days the trees assumed a
beautiful green color, and showed no
signs of disease. This is we'll worthy tho
consideration of all who are interested
Nitrate of soda is simply crude Chile salt
petre, which may be purchased for about
four cents per pound. For fertilizing
purposes, the crude is as good as the re-
fined. Its composition is nitric acid and
soda, both of which are used as food by
plants.
Roots want air as well as water and
the soil should be somewhat open in
order to permit air to circulate through it,
When the earth does not dry up rapidly
something is wrong. 1t is no uncommon
sight to see benches of roses, carnations
and other things completely soddcu, and
The plants then die from root fungus.
When fungus does appear, sulphur ex-
posed to the hot sun or temperature
equal to a hot suns rays is among the best
remedies. The above remarks have in
view mainly the culture of flowers in
benches, rs practised in florists green
houses. But similar instructions are
needed for the smallest grower.
The AgriWlturist says it is poor policy
to plant fruit trees and leave them to shift
for themselves until ''pruning time"
comes next spring. A little timely care
during the summer will often greatly
benefit the trees. If heavy winds have
thrown some trees out of the perpen-
diular right them and hold in place, if
need be, with stakes. All newly planted
trees should be mulched, otherwise the
dry weather will injurc their roots.
Whatever will cover the surface of the soil
will answer. Old straw, bog hay or other
litter; leaves, chips, or even stones; saw
dust and old tanbark, or whatever of like
nature may be procurable, will answer.
Not only should mulch be applied to
ppNNrly rlanfp1 frpnv h,tA Il, L.
in the fruit garden will also he benefited.
If the egg shells are thin it is sign
that lime is lacking in the food, or often,
If this occurs in winter, that fowls can
not get to the ground to fill their giz.
yards with gravel needed to digest food
properly. Leghorn hens and other per-
sistent layers generally have very thin
shclled eggs despite all precautions in
feeding. Many losses of eggs while un-
dergoing incubation occur from this
cause. To prevent eggs from being thin
shelled it is better to give milk and wheat
middlings mixed rather than rely on
fowls eating sufiiciency of lime in any
form. If egg shells are fed they should be
pounded so fine that all appearance of
the egg will be destroyed More fowls
learn to eat eggs from having nearly
whole shells thrown to them to peck at
than from any other cause.
The easiest and quickest way to draw
manure is to dump it in heaps, especially
if loaded upon loose box with NOV
able sideboards. But when these ad-
vantages are conceded nothing more re-
mains to be said in favor of the practice.
1t is not true, as used to be supposed,
that manure wastes materially when
spread upon the surface of the soil. In
fact, this is the best method of prevent
ing waste. There is less fermentation in
manure when it is spread upon the sur
face of the ground than there could be
in any other position. No smell of am
monia escapes from it. If rains come
while manure is spread, they only wash
its soluble plant food into the soil when
it is needed. If manure is piled in heaps
it can scarcely ever be evenly distributed
afterward. Under the heap will be
rich place from the drainage of the ma
nure water into the soil, even though
every solid particle of manure has been
removed.